#1 (AUS) (PP #9) #2 CHAMPION=S WAY (AUS) (PP #8) (Medaglia d=OroBGaudeamus, by (Hinchinbrook {Aus}BGreta=s Yarn {Aus}, Distorted Humor) (A$120,000 Ylg >17 by Redoute=s Choice {Aus}) MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo >17 NZBRTR) ($150,000 Ylg >17 INGFEB) O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco O-Dr & Mrs Arthur Leung, Elaine & Angela International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis Lui; Leung; B-G Bunt (NSW); T-; J-Vincent Ho. Current Rating: 112 J-Joao Moreira. Current Rating: 108

Has won nine from 10 lifetime, including six on the bounce, By a sire better known for his sprinters (i.e. Beat the Clock and is strictly the one they have to beat. Despite doubts on the {Aus}), Champion=s Way has overcome some spotty early- part of his trainer about his ability to stay, the Queensland- season form to earn his spot in this domestic centrepiece. Led bred kicked hard and attacked the line in both Hong Kong 250m from home in the Classic Cup, but could not resist the Classic Mile and . Should be poised for a late run from the favourite. Joao Moreira, in the saddle for final 400-metre burst to complete the sweep. four of this gelding=s six career wins, is back at the controls.

#3 MORE THAN THIS (GB) (PP #1) #4 DECRYPT (GB) (PP #14) (Dutch Art {GB}BStriving {Ire}, (c, Dark Angel {Ire}BShe=s A Worldie {Ire}, by Dancer {Ire}) by Kodiac {GB}) (40,000gns Ylg >17 TATOCT) (,55,000 Ylg >17 GOFAUG) O-Huang Kai Wen; B-Cheveley Park Stud O-Albert Hung Chao Hong; B-Equine Origin Ltd; T-Francis Lui; J-Zac Purton. Ltd; T-Frankie Lor; J-Chad Schofield. Current Rating: 107 Current Rating: 95

One of two in the race for this owner--who campaigned top A staying-on third in last year=s G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, Decrypt local sprinter Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire})--More Than has placed in three of his four starts this season, but has This overcame a near-impossible trip to win a C2 over 1600m nonetheless been fractionally disappointing. This owner=s on international day Dec. 8 and has since finished second and Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) made history in taking all third, respectively, in the Classic Mile and Classic Cup. Sunday=s three legs in 2017, but this entire has not given any indication 2000m journey could level the playing field. The pick. that he wants this sort of trip. Maybe for later, going shorter.

#5 PRIVATE SECRETARY (GB) (PP #13) #6 PLAYA DEL PUENTE (IRE) (PP #11) (c, Kingman {GB}BIntrigued {GB}, (Elzaam {Aus}BPlayamongthestars {Aus}, by Darshaan {GB}) by Galileo {Ire}) O-Siu Pak Kwan; B-Denford Stud Ltd; (i27,000 Wlg >16 GOFNOV; i40,000 Ylg T-Tony Cruz; J-Matthew Poon. >17 TISEP) O-Huang Kai Wen; B-Dermot Current Rating: 94 Kelly; T-Danny Shum; J-Blake Shinn. Current Rating: 93

Winner of the Listed Cocked Hat S. while under the care of In a race not typically run at a strong pace, it would behoove John Gosden last season, Private Secretary did what not many connections to ride Playa del Puente for some speed and try to imports can in Hong Kong, namely winning first-up in Class 2. lead from his high draw. His lone victory locally came in all-the- That set the bar reasonably high going forward, but he has way fashion at Happy Valley last October. Well beaten in the since underachieved and was beaten five lengths into ninth in first two legs, he has decent non-turf form at home and maybe the Classic Cup. Talent is there, but he=s an unfinished sort. that=s where his future lies in Hong Kong. #7 COLUMBUS COUNTY (NZ) (PP #3) #8 SUPER OASIS (NZ) (PP #4) (Redwood {GB}BSpirit of Sandford {NZ}, (Rock >N= Pop {Aus}BNot Sure {NZ}, by Kilimanjaro {GB}) (NZ$33,000 Ylg >17 by Masterclass) NZBFEB) O-Mr & Mrs Hamen Fan Shi Hoo, (NZ$160,000 Ylg >17 NZBJAN) Alex & Christina Fan; B-D W Mayers & Mrs O-King Kong V Racing Syndicate; S J Taylor; T-; J-Neil Callan. B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-Frankie Lor; Current Rating: 91 J-Vagner Borges. Current Rating: 91

Third in the G2 Waikato Guineas at home, he has run about as Super Oasis is drawn alongside Columbus County and was well as a horse in HK can without crossing the line first and fourth behind that rival in his last two appearances. The 2019 enters the Derby off a trio of bang-up second-place finishes in G2 Auckland Guineas winner, he is already proven at this trip the deep waters of open Class 2. Nosed out by Amazing Beats and beyond, with a victory to his credit in the G2 Avondale over the Derby trip Feb. 23, he=s shown versatility to adapt to Guineas (2100m) and a third in the G1 Australian Derby any pace. Not as accomplished, but a live rough chance. (2400m). Rarely turns in a bad one and is a top-five chance.

#9 BUTTERFIELD (BRZ) (PP #12) #10 STAR PERFORMANCE (NZ) (PP #10) (Setembro Chove {Brz}BLondrinita {Arg}, (Per IncantoBStar Guest {NZ}, by Fahim {GB}) by Pentire {GB}) O-Yue Yun Hing; B-Haras Cifra; (NZ$250,000 Ylg >17 NZBJAN) T-Danny Shum; J-Grant van Niekerk. O-Mr & Mrs Mike Cheung Shun Ching; Current Rating: 90 B-Mrs C A & P M Algie; T-Tony Cruz; J-Matthew Chadwick. Current Rating: 88

A dual Group 1 winner at Cidade Jardim outside of Sao Paolo, Fifth to Super Oasis in the Auckland Guineas, Star Performance Butterfield--who races in the colours of last year=s Derby took his Hong Kong debut last July as a $66 gamble, but has eighth Harmony Victory (Brz)--has improved as the distances simply not made much progress since. An even fifth to Golden have increased. His half-length defeat of Columbus County last Sixty in the Classic Mile, he dropped back to 1400m for a time was achieved off a perfect trip on the back of the speed Class 2 Feb. 16, but could do no better than seventh. Expensive and he=ll need some luck Sunday from gate 12. yearling by a successful sire looks up against it.

#11 AMAZING BEATS (AUS) (PP #2) #12 RELIABLE TEAM (NZ) (PP #5) (EpauletteBQuachita, by Exceed and Excel) (Reliable Man {GB}BStella Doro {NZ}, by O-Nicola Chu Ming Nga; B-Darley (NSW); Faltaat) (NZ$50,000 RNA Ylg >17 NZBFEB; T-Paul O=Sullivan; J-Karis Teetan. NZ$430,000 2yo >17 NZBRTR) O-Nova Current Rating: 86 Stella Syndicate; B-Tullycrine Ltd; T-Frankie Lor; J-Derek Leung. Current Rating: 86

Formerly trained in Australia by James Cummings as Cossetot, Victorious in four of his first six starts in Hong Kong, Reliable Amazing Beats won the 2019 Tasmanian Derby and placed Team was exposed when retreating to 10th after racing up on three times at group level before finishing 15th in the the pace in the Classic Cup four weeks ago. He would be well- Australian Derby. It took him some time to find his way in served by using some of that speed and is drawn well to make Hong Kong, but he put it all together when sneaking through at best use of it, but the trip is a major concern and several will the fence last time. A progressive galloper to keep an eye on. be finishing with more vigour.

#13 SAVVY NINE (FR) (PP #7) #14 WORLD FAMOUS (FR) (PP #6) (Anodin {Ire}BInsan Mala {Ire}, by (Reliable Man {GB}BQuenching {Ire}, Bahhare) (i42,000 RNA Ylg >17 ARQAUG; by {Ire}) i470,000 HRA >18 ARQARC) (i85,000 Ylg >17 ARQOCT) O-Julian Hui Chun Hang & Michele O-Lam Hiu Ngai; B-Salinity Service AB; Monique Reis; B-Jan Krauze; T-John T-Ricky Yiu; J-Alex Lai. Current Rating: 80 Moore; J-Keith Yeung. Current Rating: 83

Trained in Europe by William Haggas as Insandi, Savvy Nine The lowest-rated runner in the field and some 32 points off was placed twice at Group 3 level in France, but, bar a single Golden Sixty, World Famous also figures to be part of the early runner-up effort as the top-weight in a 1650m Class 3 at Happy mix, but he would be doing well to finish in the top half of the Valley in January, has done nothing to suggest he represents field. Trainer Tony Cruz last won the Derby in 2008 and he=ll any sort of danger to the top ones here. The final Derby runner have to wait at least one more year for his next. for the retiring has his work cut out for him.